Portland is Oregon’s largest city and is a perfect destination for those who love the great outdoors (like camping), hipster vibes, and amazing food and drink. The city is known for its bike-friendly streets, amazing city parks, and eco-conscious lifestyle. And let’s not forget about the thriving microbrewery and coffeehouse scenes! Visiting this city is a must, whether you want to explore its natural beauty or sip your way through craft beer heaven.
Sports fans will love catching a Portland Trail Blazers basketball game or cheering on the Timbers at the iconic Providence Park. And you can’t forget one of the best perks of visiting Portland: 0% sales tax, so you can shop until you drop.
In this Portland travel guide, we’ll help you discover the best places to stay, the tastiest restaurants to try, and the can’t-miss sights that make The City of Roses so unique.
Where to stay
Interested in staying in a different neighborhood than you live in to see what the vibe is like there? Fancy crashing at that new fancy hotel you heard was opening near Old Town Chinatown? Or how about checking out that historic outfit on the other side of the river? As a city that thrives on tourism, Portland has accommodations to suit all kinds of budgets and tastes. Here’s our roundup of the best Portland hotels, with most of them close to Portland airport.
Best tiny house hotel: The Royal Scott Double Decker Bus
Portland is arguably the epicenter of the tiny house movement, and from tiny house hotels to rental units, the city is crawling with these miniature homes. This Airbnb located in the Russell neighborhood was once a commuter bus in Manchester, England, before doing a few stints in San Francisco and Mt. St. Helens.
Now, it’s been redesigned as a midcentury modern-inspired tiny home. In this rental unit, you’ll find a full kitchenette complete with a sink, induction cooktop, microwave, and mini fridge. As you walk up the original bus stairs to the upper deck, you’ll come across a cozy lounge area with a queen-sized bed. You’ll also have access to a shared backyard and deck.
- Nearest airport: Portland International Airport
- Time: 11 minutes by car
- Distance: 6.7 miles
Best for foodies: The Hoxton
Bringing its signature mid-century modern aesthetic to a hundred-year-old building in Old Town Chinatown, the U.K.-based Hoxton chain opened its first West Coast outpost here in the Rose City in 2018. With 119 plush rooms where you can relax with a good book from the famous Powell’s City of Books right up the street, co-working and communal spaces, two restaurants, and a secretive speakeasy bar, plus easy access to nearby attractions and restaurants in Chinatown, the Pearl, and downtown, The Hoxton Portland has everything you need for a vacation.
- Nearest airport: Portland International Airport
- Time: 17 minutes by car
- Distance: 12.1 miles
Best décor: McMenamins Kennedy School
If you’re looking for a taste of Portland’s notorious “weird” vibe, look no further than McMenamins. This PNW chain restores historic buildings and properties and gives them new life as delightful, quirky hotels, restaurants, and brewpubs; the brand also operates a craft brewery and winery.
Its Kennedy School location in artsy Northeast Portland is housed in an old elementary school, so its King and Queen rooms have school and literature-themed interiors. There are also restaurants, bars, a heated soaking pool, and entertainment spaces for screening films or listening to music.
- Nearest airport: Portland International Airport
- Time: 12 minutes by car
- Distance: 5.3 miles
Best interior: Inn at Northrup Station
The Inn at Northrup Station is not one of your average Portland hotels. The hotel’s interior is adorned with artworks created by Portland’s artists, with its retro-inspired furnishing evoking a lively, yet homey vibe.
The lobby draws you in with its artistic interiors and jars of candy, satisfying your cravings while feasting your eyes with the inn’s fused glass— which in itself, a work of art. The rooms are air-conditioned and include a flat-screen TV and a seating area for exhausted travelers. All rooms come with a hairdryer and free toiletries, helping you feel at home. Plus, the hotel offers free WiFi and parking, as well as facilities for disabled travelers.
- Nearest airport: Portland International Airport
- Time: 20 minutes by car
- Distance: 14.2 miles
Best location: Embassy Suites
As the sole member of the Historic Hotels of America, Embassy Suites is known for being a mile from theaters, the convention center, museums, and other major attractions— making this suite a top choice for travelers who value convenience. All spacious rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and even come with free spa services.
You will enjoy its gourmet free cooked-to-order breakfast — and if you want something to satisfy your adventurous palate — you can drop by the manager’s reception to gorge on flavorful hors d’oeuvres. Don’t forget to visit Embassy Suites’ on-site restaurants, Mother’s Bistro and Bar and Kingsland Kitchen, for all-day homestyle-cooking and Full English Breakfast, respectively. The hotel features one swimming pool, non-smoking rooms, and family rooms.
- Nearest airport: Portland International Airport
- Time: 18 minutes by car
- Distance: 12 miles
What to eat
Portland is known for its delicious food. Whether you’re looking for fish sauce chicken wings, homemade ice cream, or fresh doughnuts, this city has it all. These are just a few of our favorite eats in town. Price ranges are indicated with a “$” sign. For your reference:
- “$” = budget-friendly or cheap
- “$$”= average
- “$$$”= expensive
Best for sweet tooths: Pip’s Original Doughnuts
Managed by mini doughnut-obsessed couple Nate and Jamie Snell, Pip’s Original Doughnuts serves freshly made sweet, piping hot doughnuts, homemade chai tea lattes, and locally roasted coffee and espresso. The staff is also accommodating, which is a plus for travelers who want to have a cozy dining experience.
- $
Best for egg lovers: Fried Egg I’m In Love
Jace Krause — founder of Fried Egg I’m in Love — lived in Seattle and worked in the corporate world. However, he knew he needed a U-turn in his career. Krause promised his wife Ellen that he would move if she found a job in PDX. His life went uphill as he finally fulfilled his dream of starting a business, which is the food cart and restaurant we know today.
Fried Egg I’m in Love makes breakfast sandwiches, with each one cooked with love and passion. Their most popular offerings are the vegan breakfast burrito and house vegan sausage, all loved by both vegans and meat lovers. Come and visit Fried Egg I’m In Love’s food carts at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown PDX and Prost! On Mississippi Avenue in North Portland for a hearty breakfast.
- $
Best vegan: Blossoming Lotus
Blossoming Lotus first started as a cafe and juice bar in Kauai and moved to the Portland area in 2020. This Slabtown neighborhood restaurant features a fully plant-based menu made from locally sourced, organic ingredients.
But just because this restaurant is vegan, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy classic favorites. The restaurant’s menu includes staples like cheeseburgers, pesto pasta, barbecue bowls, tacos, and cheesecake. If you want to venture out a bit, try the tempeh bacon sandwich or green adobo potato tacos.
- $
Best for outdoor foodies: Matt’s BBQ Tacos
The same great-tasting meat from Matt’s BBQ cart can be enjoyed at Matt’s BBQ Tacos, albeit served in lard-infused corn tortillas. Matt’s BBQ Tacos has published dietary information about its food offerings, informing potential customers which products contain eggs or are vegan-friendly. If you want to stay on top of your dietary needs while enjoying Portland’s diverse gastronomy, be sure to give Matt’s BBQ Tacos a try.
- $
Best noodle house: Stretch the Noodle
Established in 2017, Stretch the Noodle is your go-to food cart for authentic hand-stretched noodles. They have vegan options and the lines can be long (be warned). Be patient because the noodles are worth waiting for.
- $
Best fusion: Nacheaux
Nacheaux is founded by Anthony and Stephanie Brown. Anthony was raised in Los Angeles, the home of the best Mexican Food. While Stephanie hailed from Louisiana, a state known for its signature French-influenced Southern cooking. Hence, it’s no surprise that Nacheax creates Mexican-Southern cooking-inspired dishes like Carnitas Taco and Catfish Taco. It has gluten-free options too.
- $
Best Latin American cuisine: Portland Mercado
Portland Mercado serves as a hub for Latino culture, with the belief that entrepreneurship will spearhead changes and unite communities. Since food is the heart of a society’s culture, Portland Mercado is a place where you can experience a variety of authentic Latin American cuisines. There’s a lot to choose from, mind you, so you may be tempted to try every dish.
- $$
Best sushi: Yoshi’s Sushi
Portland travel isn’t complete without stopping at a sushi restaurant. Chef Yoshi Ikeda, a second-generation sushi chef, proves that “good sushi” can be made using a food cart. And sure enough, Chef Ikeda consistently provides diners with creative, forward-thinking sushi such as the lime green roll and French quarter roll. After dining at Yoshi’s, you’ll hear yourself say, “oishii.”
- $
Outdoors
Done caving into PDX’s delicious food? Don’t worry, for there are still plenty of things to do in Portland, especially in the realm of outdoor adventure. One unique way to experience Portland’s blend of wilderness and urban living is by kayaking along the Willamette River through the heart of the city.
Alder Creek offers kayak, canoe, and SUP rentals at different locations around Portland. Washington Park and Forest Park and Sauvie Island near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers is a blissful haven for cycling, walking, and picking berries and wildflowers. You can also find abundant wildlife like migratory birds and natural scenery at nearby wildlife preserves like Smith and Bybee Wetlands and the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.
Heading out of town, you can visit the newly reopened Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, visiting a beautiful area of waterfalls and verdant forests that had been closed since 2017 due to a wildfire. To avoid the crowds at Mount Hood, instead, head to Tillamook State Forest to tackle great trails through old-growth forests. The Elk Mountain and Wilson River trails are especially scenic.
